Fog nozzle



Nov. 19, 1957 F. c. ROBERTS 2,813,753

FOG NOZZLE Filed March 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

J// l//////)m INVENTOR Pena 6K a. ROBERTS 5W Ma ATTORNEYS Nov. 19, 1957F. c. ROBERTS 2,813,753

FOG NOZZLE Filed March 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 37 37' I L45 L45 53 53Bel as as FIG.6.

44 22 2o, 47' IO mvmon FRED/PICK c. ROBERTS ATTORNEYS FOG NGZZLEFredrick C. Roberts, Juneau, Alaska Application March 16, 1956, SerialNo. 571,943

Claims. (Cl. 259-410} The present invention relates to a device for usein lighting fires, and, more particularly, to a fire fighting nozzlewhich is adapted to penetrate a wall or the like to extinguish anenclosed fire with a water mist, spray or fog.

In present-day fire fighting techniques it has been found that water inthe form of fog, a fine spray or mist is much more efficient in fightingan enclosed fire than a straight stream of water. The reason water inthe form of a fog or the like is more efiicient in fighting an enclosedfire is that the water being broken up into small particles will absorbmore heat and, thus, more quickly cool the area where the fire. islocated, extinguishing the same.

Many different types of nozzles have been developed for producing fog,but one of the primary difiiculties of these nozzles is that they cannotbe placed where the fog will most effectively cool the heated area. Thesmoke and heat from an enclosed fire oftentimes make it necessary forthe firemen toremain at a substantial distance and, consequently, if thenozzle cannot be placed right close to the source of the fire, fightingsuch a fire. is ineffectual. Attempts have been made to place firenozzles on tubular support elements, the fire nozzle being supportedadjacent the fire with the firemen at a remote dis-- tance. Where thefire is in an enclosed building or small portion of a building, itoftentimes necessitates that the nozzles be able to penetrate a wall,ceiling, floor, door or the like. A disadvantage of prior nozzles isthat the. water passageways become clogged with debris suchv as.plaster, wood, or the like when they are rammed through a wall therebyreducing the efiicieney of the nozzle once it is positioned adjacent thefire.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fire nozzle capableof efficiently cooling a fire by use of a spray or fog rather than astream of direct water.

Still another object of the present invention is theprovision of a firenozzle capable of penetrating walls, ceilings, floors, doors, or thelike, the fluid passageways. being substantially clog-proof from debriscaused by penetration.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of anozzle for developing a forward moving fog whereby the fog can beaccurately directed in thedirection which the nozzle isv pointed.

A further object of the present invention is. the provi sion of a firefighting device whereby firemen can oper-'- ate the same at a remotedistance from the fire without encountering the danger of smoke and heatcaused by the fire.

A still further object of the present invention is theprovision of a.nozzle for fighting fires with fog, spray, mist or the like, which canbe easily manufactured at a. minimum cost and which will besubstantially rugged thereby permitting a rough usage.

These and other objects of the present invention will; appear moreclearly from the following specification, claims and drawings in which:

x 2,813,753 Patented Nov. 19, 1957 Figure 1 is a perspective view of theapparatus of the present invention being used through a wall of a build-Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the nozzle of the presentinvention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle taken on theline 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the nozzle ofthe present invention;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5'5 ofFigure 4; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation and takenon the line 6--6' of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional .view of the nozzle showing amodified arrangement of water passage.

Referring to the drawings wherein like character and reference numeralsrepresent like or similar parts, the device of the present inventionincludes a nozzle generally indicated by the numeral 10, a rigidtubularsupport, pipe or ram 12 and a hose 14 connected to a source ofwater (not shown). As previously mentioned, the problem of fightingenclosed fires such as found in buildings, vehicles, aircraft and thelike is getting to the source of fire and extinguishing the same bycooling. As illustrated in Figure 1, a fire within the room R may befought from outside the room by using the pipe or ram 12 to drive thepenetrating nozzle 10 through the wall W. The nozzle 10, which emits afog or mist, can then be directed at the fire or around the room by thefiremen who are positioned on the outer side of the wall W. A nozzle ofthis type reduces the occupational hazard of the firemen and alsorequires less training of the firemen as they do not have to be taughtto eat smoke.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the nozzle 10 is shaped like atruncated cone having a conical or lateral surface 16 and a forward end18 which is inclined to, the transverse and longitudinal axes throughthe body of the nozzle. The forward truncated end 18 of the nozzle 10defines a chisel portion of the nozzle and is used to break the plaster,board, glass or the like when the nozzle is penetrated through a wallorthe like. The rear or base end 20 of conical shapednozzle 10 is providedwith a longitudinally extending threaded shank 22 which is adapted to bethreaded into tubular pipe 12. Suitable valves (not shown) can beprovided on the pipe 12 to control the flow of water to nozzle 10.

Nozzle 10 is provided with an enlarged longitudinal central bore 24extending from the rear end 20 through the body of the nozzle andterminating at 26 adjacent, but short of, the beveled or inclined end18. The open end 28 of bore 24 is adapted to communicate with the bore30 in the rigid tubular pipe 12. In axial alignment and communicationwith bore 24 is a passageway 32 which extends and opens through a port34 on the inclined end 18 of nozzle Ill. Passageway 32 is preferablyabout in diameter as compared to the relatively large diameter of A" ofbore 24. The purpose of having passageway 32 so small in diameter willappear more fully later in the specification.

Communicating with bore 24 are a series of circumferentially spacedpassageways 36. Passageways 36 extend from their opening 37 in the bore24 forwardly and outwardly through the body of nozzle 10'. Each of thepassageways 36 terminates in an enlarged inwardly extending recess 38.The recesses 38, which are circumferentially spaced from each other onthe conical surface 16 of the nozzle, are each provided with a wallwhich extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the nozzle asshown at 40. and then terminates in a cone portion 42-.

Another series of circumferentially spaced passage ways 44 are providedforward of the passageways 36 and also extend from bore 24 forwardly andoutwardly toward the conical surface 16 of nozzle 10. The conicalsurface of nozzle 10 is provided with the second series of inwardlyextending recesses 46 having a wall similar to the-wall of recess 38. iin the second series are spaced longitudinally from and transversely oftherecesses in the first series of recesses. Consequently, the fogdispersedby nozzle 10 will be evenly distributedin a forward directionby the forwardly extending passageways 36 and 44.

As shown in Figure 3, the passageways 36 extend forwardly at an angle ofapproximately 15 to the longitudinal axis of the. nozzle whereas thepassageways 44 extend forwardly at an angle approximately 22 'to theion-- gitudinal'axis of the nozzle. However, the angle of thesepassageways may be increased or decreased so long.

as they are at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. Itwill be noted that in Figure 3 the series of passageways 36 and 44 havetheir longitudinal axis extending into the recesses 38 and 46respectively at such an angle that the water flow therethrough isdirected straight into the air without impinging against the side wallsof the recesses. When the passages 36 and 44 enter the recesses at anangle which permits the water to be dispersed directly into the air, thewater pressure must be high so that the water will be broken up intosmall droplets to produce the desired fog.

Figure 7 shows a modified arrangement of the water passages entering therecesses. ,More specifically, a recess 38 is provided in the conicalsurface 16 of the nozzle and includes a wall which extends transverselyof the longitudinal axis of the nozzle at 40" and then terminates in acone portion 42". A water passageway 36" opens into the recess asindicated at 48". The axis of the passageway 36" is such that the streamof water flowing therethrough will impinge against the countersunk wall40" of the recess 38" as indicated at 41, causing a slight deflection ofthesolid stream and the breaking of the stream of water into droplets,of water forming a spray or fog. By having the passageway 36" extendingat such an angle that the water is deflected off the forward side of thewall of the recess, a low pressure water supply may be used and asatisfactory fog may still be obtained. The passageway 32 extendingaxially of the nozzle 10 may be omitted when the nozzle is utilized withopenings such as disclosed in Figure 7.

By having passageways 36 and 44 open respectively at 48 and 50 on theconical portion of the walls of recesses 38 and 46 respectively, theopenings of the passageways are protected from dirt, debris or the likewhen the device is used to penetrate a wall or the like. If particlesare caught in the shallow, but enlarged recesses 38 and 46, the waterpressure in the very small passages 36 and 44 will have more of asurface to act on and, thus, the dirt or debris will be blown clear ofthe nozzle.

Passageways 36 and 44 are preferably bi in diameter just as thepassageway 32. By having very small passageways 36, 44 and 32, waterentering the nozzle at 28 into the bore 24 will be dispersed as a veryfine fog or mist and, thus, will have the advantage of cooling at firerather than trying to soak the fire. It will now be obvious that bycooling a fire with fog, less water, and consequently less water damage,is done in extinguishing a fire.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, a modified form of the truncatednozzle is disclosed. The nozzle 10 of Figures 4, 5 and 6 is of exteriorconfiguration similar to the previously described nozzle 10 in that itis shaped like a truncated cone and has a lateral surface 16 and aforward end 18 which is inclined to the transverse and longitudinal axisthrough the body of the nozzle. The forward truncated end 18 or thenozzle defin a Chisel portion which may be used in the manner previouslydescribed in the specification. The rear or base end It will be notedthat the recesses.

20 of nozzle 10 is likewise provided with a threaded shank 22 which isadapted to be received in the tubular pipe or ram 12.

Nozzle 10 of the modified form of the invention is likewise providedwith a longitudinal bore 24 of relatively large diameter, the bore 24terminating in an end wall 26. A first series of circumferentiallyspaced spherical shaped recesses 38' are provided in the conical surface16 of the nozzle 10. A pair of passageways 36' in the body of the nozzle10 extend from their openings 37 in the bore 24 forwardly and outwardlyand terminate in openings 48 in each of the recesses 38'. Each pair ofpassageways 36' are at an angle with respect to each other so that theirlongitudinal axes intersect externally of the recesses 38'.

A second series of circumferentially spaced spherical shaped recesses46' are spaced longitudinally from and transversely of the recesses 38'on the conical surface 16 of the nozzle. Each of the recesses 46' has apair of passageways 44 opening therein at 50', the passageways 44'extending forwardly from their openings 45' in the .bore 24. Each pairof passageways 44' which open into the recesses 46' have theirlongitudinal axes intersecting at a point external of the recesses 46'.

A third series of circumferentially spaced spherical shaped recesses 47'arep rovided in the conical surface 16 forward of the recesses 46' andin longitudinal alignment with the recesses 38'. A pair of passageways49 in the body of nozzle 10 open into each of the recesses 47 asindicated at 51. The other ends of the passageways 49' are open to thebore 24 at 53'. Each pair of passageways 49' is similar to the pairs ofpassageways 44 and 36 in that they too have their longitudinal axesintersecting externally of the recesses into which they open.

By having the pairs of passageways opening into each of the recessesprovided in the surface of the nozzle, the.

streams of water of each of the pairs of recesses will impingeexternally of the nozzle, thus, creating a fog at lower pressures thanrequired in the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 3.closed in the modified form of the invention are spherical shaped, it isof course within the scope of the invention that the recesses may besimilarly shaped to those disclosed in Figure 3. The shallow sphericalshaped recesses of the modified form of the invention also preventclogging of the passageways leading thereto because the water pressureof the relatively small passageways have more surface to act on and,thereby, blow dirt and debris from the recesses of the nozzle. Further,a small longitudinal passage may be provided in the forward end of thebody of the nozzle communicating the chisel shaped end 18 with the bore24 so as to provide a forward stream of water.

Although the truncated nozzle 10 with its chisel pointed end 18 isdisclosed as used for extinguishing enclosed fires such as would befound in rooms, attics, in nacelles of aircraft, under engine hoods ofvehicles or the like, it is v obvious that the device could be usedwherever it is necessary to extinguish a fire by cooling with a fog ormist.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose ofdescription and not limitation, the scope of the invention being definedin the claims.

I claim:

1. A fire fighting nozzle comprising a truncated cone shaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to a transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting the same to asource of 1 fire extinguishing fluid, said body having an enlargedcentral bore extending longitudinally from its rear end and Iterminating short of its forward end, a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced passageways in said body communieating with said bore andextending forwardly and outwardly therefrom and terminating in openingson the surface of said body, said passageways extending through saidbody at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said body and a smalllongitudinally extending passageway commu- Although the recesses as dis-7 nicating with the forward end of said bore and terminating in anopening on the inclined end of said body.

2. A fire fighting nozzle comprising a truncated cone shaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to a transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting to a source offire extinguishing fluid, said body having an enlarged bore extendingfrom its rear end and terminating short of its forward end, a firstseries of circumferentially spaced passageways communicating with saidbore and extending forwardly through and at an acute angle to thelongitudinal axis of said body, each of said psasageways terminating onthe conical surface of said body in openings spaced circumferentiallyfrom each other, a second series of circumfer'entially spacedpassageways communicating with said bore forward of said first series ofpassageways and extending through and at an acute angle to thelongitudinal axis of said body, said second series of passagewaysterminating on the conical surface of said body in circumferentiallyspaced openings forward of the openings of said first series ofpassageways and displaced circumferentially therefrom, and a smalllongitudinally extending passageway communicating with the forward endof said bore and terminating in an opening on the inclined end of saidbody.

3. A fire fighting nozzle comprising a truncated cone shaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to a transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting to a source offire extinguishing fluid, the conical surface of said body having aplurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed recesses, saidbody having an enlarged central bore extending from its rear end andterminating short of its forward end, a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced passageways communicating with said bore and extending forwardlyand outwardly through said body, at least one of said passagewaysterminating in an opening in each of said recesses, said passagewaysbeing relatively smaller than said recesses.

4. A fire fighting nozzle of the character described in claim 3 whereinat least two of said passageways terminate in separate openings in eachof said recesses, the passageways terminating in each of said recesseshaving their longitudinal axes intersecting externally of said recesseswhereby Water flowing from said passages impinges externally of saidnozzle.

5. A fire fighting nozzle comprising a truncated cone shaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to a transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting to a source offire extinguishing fluid, the conical surface of said body having aplurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed shallowrecesses, said recesses having a wall extending transversely of and fromthe conical surface of said body and terminating in a cone, said bodyhaving an enlarged bore extending longitudinally from its rear end andterminating short of its forward inclined end, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced passageways communicating with said bore andextending forwardly and outwardly through said body at an acute angle tothe longitudinal axis thereof, at least one of said passagewaysterminating in an opening in the cone portion of the wall of each ofsaid recesses, said passageways being relatively smaller in diameterthan the diameter of said recesses.

6. A fire fighting nozzle comprising a truncated cone shaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to a transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting to a source offire extinguishing fluid, the conical surface of said body having aplurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed shallowrecesses, said recesses having a wall extending transversely of and fromthe conical surface of said body and terminating in a cone portion, saidbody having an enlarged bore extending longitudinally from its rear endand terminating short of its forward inclined end, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced passageways communicating with said bore andextending forwardly and outwardly through said body at an acute angleto. the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one of said passagewaysterminating in an opening in the cone portion of the wall of each ofsaid recesses, said passageways being relatively smaller in diameterthan the diameter of said recesses, and a small longitudinally extendingpassageway communicating with the forward end of said bore andterminating in an opening on the inclined end of said body.

7. A fire fighting device of the character described for penetratingwalls or the like comprising a truncated cone shaped nozzle having itsforward end lying in a plane inclined to a transverse axis of thenozzle, the inclined forward end of the nozzle defining a chisel forpenetration, a rigid tubular support connected to the rear end of saidnozzle and adapted to be connected to a source of fire extinguishingfluid, said nozzle having an enlarged central bore extendinglongitudinally from its rear end and terminating short of its forwardinclined end, the conical surface of said nozzle having a first seriesof circumferentially spaced inwardly directed shallow recesses, and asecond series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed shallowrecesses, the recesses of said first series being forward of andlaterally spaced from the recesses of said second series, the recessesof said first and second series each having a Wall extendingtransversely of and from the conical surface of said body andterminating in a cone portion, a plurality of spaced passagewayscommunicating with said bore and extending forwardly and outwardlythrough said nozzle at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis thereof,at least one of said passageways terminating in an opening in the coneportion of the wall of each of the recesses of said first and secondseries, said passageways being relatively smaller in diameter than thediameter of said recesses and said enlarged bore, and a smallerlongitudinally extending passageway communicating with the forward endof said bore and terminating in an opening on the inclined end of saidnozzle.

8. A fire fighting nozzle comprising a truncated coneshaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to the transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting to a source offire extinguishing fluid, the conical surface of said body having aplurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed shallowspherical shaped recesses, said body having an enlarged bore extendingfrom its rear end and terminating short of its forward inclined end, apair of passageways extending forwardly and outwardly through said bodyfrom said bore at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis thereof foreach of said recesses, each of said pairs of passageways having separateopenings in said recesses, the longitudinal axes of the passageways ofeach pair intersecting externally of said recesses whereby Water flowingfrom each pair of passageways impinges externally of said nozzle.

9. A fire fighting nozzle of the character described in claim 8 whereinsaid plurality of recesses includes a first series of recessescircumferentially spaced from each other, a second series of recessescircumferentially spaced from each other and positioned forwardly andlaterally from recesses of said first series and a third series ofrecesses circumferentially spaced from each other and positionedforwardly of said second series of recesses and in longitudinalalignment with said first series of recesses.

10. A fire-fighting nozzle comprising a truncated coneshaped body havingits forward end lying in a plane inclined to the transverse axis of saidbody, means on the rear end of said body for connecting to a source offire-extinguishing fluid, the conical surface of said body having aplurality of circumferentially spaced in- 8 wardly directed recesses,said body having an enlarged References Cited in the file of this patentcentral bore extending from its rear end and terminating UNITED STATESPATENTS short of its forward end, a plurahty of circumferentially spacedpassageways communicating with said bore and 2'008932 Slegmund July 1935extending upwardly and outwardly through said body 5 2246797 Geddes June24, 1941 and terminating in an opening in said recesses, said pas-2,413,083 Snowden et a] 1946 sageways having a longitudinal axisintersecting the for- FOREIGN PATENTS ward side of the wall of saidrecesses whereby water 22014 Great Britain Nov. 4,1914

flowing through said passageways impinges against the forward side ofthe wall of said recesses. 0

